CA · BLS OEWS 2024 · SOC 23-1011

Lawyers Salary in California

Median Annual Salary $197,790 +31% above national average (national: $151,160)
$254,170Mean Annual
$95Median Hourly
92,580Employed in State

Salary Range — 10th to 90th Percentile

$197,790
$101,070
10th pct.
N/A
90th pct.

Full Percentile Breakdown

PercentileAnnual WageHourly Wage
10th percentile (entry-level)$101,070$48.59
25th percentile$131,030$63.00
50th percentile (median)$197,790$95.09
75th percentileN/AN/A
90th percentile (top earners)N/AN/A
Mean (average)$254,170$122.20

How California Compares

StateMedian Annualvs. California
California (current) $197,790
District of Columbia $191,880 -3%
Massachusetts $179,050 -9%
New York $177,210 -10%
Delaware $172,710 -13%
Colorado $167,970 -15%
Connecticut $159,240 -19%
New Jersey $158,470 -20%
Virginia $157,980 -20%

Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →

Related Occupations in California

OccupationMedian AnnualEmployment
Physicians, All Other $201,510 20,750
Architectural and Engineering Managers $201,810 30,690
Natural Sciences Managers $204,100 14,120
Computer and Information Systems Managers $211,340 100,020
Computer Hardware Engineers $179,880 24,200
Dentists, General $178,540 14,760

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Lawyers salary in California?

The mean lawyers salary in California is $254,170 per year. The median (middle) salary is $197,790 per year. Source: BLS OEWS 2024.

What is the starting salary for a Lawyers in California?

Entry-level lawyerss (10th percentile) in California typically earn around $101,070 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $131,030 per year.

What is the highest Lawyers salary in California?

Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in California make approximately N/A per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around N/A per year.

How does the California Lawyers salary compare to the national average?

The median lawyers salary in California is $197,790, which is +31% above national average of $151,160.

Data Source: This data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, May 2024 release. All wages are estimates. Actual salaries may vary based on experience, education, employer, and other factors. bls.gov/oes